Reading Specialist Master’s Program for Boston Public School Teachers

Program Details

Wheelock College and Boston University have reached an agreement to merge as of June 1, 2018 and we are no longer accepting new applications. As a prospective applicant to Wheelock College, we hope you will be interested in applying to Boston University.

Wheelock College is proud to partner with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and support the district's commitment to improve literacy instruction in multilingual urban schools. Through Wheelock's Reading Specialist master's program for partner public school districts, qualified BPS teachers earn Massachusetts licensure as a reading specialist for grades preK-12 in addition to gaining a unique combination of theory, knowledge, and practical classroom experience that will help them take the next step in their careers. All at a discounted tuition rate.

Overview

Students will take a series of courses focusing on clinical research-based practices with struggling readers, and in-depth courses in teaching reading to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, cultures, and communities. Participants have the option to add a graduate certificate in ELL/ESL by taking one additional course. Wheelock accepts up to 20 BPS teachers each year into the program, forming a dynamic and rich academic cohort.

Wheelock College is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for the consistently high quality of all of its teacher-preparation programs. In addition, our Teacher of Reading program is nationally recognized by the International Literacy Association (ILA) .

Wheelock's Teacher of Reading master's program is a 34-credit course of study leading to Massachusetts licensure as a reading specialist. The program is also approved for professional licensure for early childhood, elementary, English as a Second Language or moderate disabilities teachers.

Teachers will enroll in the program half-time for two years, taking courses and field experiences in the late afternoons, on select weekends, and in summer. Wheelock programs of study are cohort learning experiences. Students begin and often complete their program together, developing strong bonds as professional, academic, and personal experiences are shared. Through collaborative work, strong support networks are built among cohort members, faculty, advisors, and staff lasting well beyond the academic program.

Program Benefits

BPS teachers receive a discounted tuition rate of $745.00 per credit.

Financial aid is available in the form of Stafford loans in amounts up to $20,500 per year. See the Graduate Financial Aid page for application information.

Leads to Massachusetts licensure as a reading specialist.

Emphasis on closely mentored practice where graduate students work together with a Wheelock faculty mentor in an afterschool literacy laboratory supported by the college.

Applicant Requirements

Candidates must already hold an initial teaching license (for example, as an elementary, early childhood, English language arts, or special education teacher).

Candidates must have taught for at least one year under that teaching license when they matriculate into the program and must summit proof of teaching experience via a principal's letter and a copy of the initial license.